ElevenLabs Brings New Tech to Protect Japan’s Anime Voices

• ElevenLabs to implement VoiceCAPTCHA under C2PA standards to verify human voices against AI-generated ones.
• The company supports Japan’s “NO MORE Unauthorized AI Generation” movement.
• Yuki Kaji, voice of Eren Yeager, calls it a “turning point” for safe coexistence between AI and voice actors.

Amidst the growing use of AI in media like video generation, anime, and graphics, a Japanese company has taken a firm step to draw a boundary between humans and the machine. 

The company in question is ElevenLabs, an AI voice company, which will incorporate VoiceCAPTCHA verification technology to check if a voice is indeed humane per the C2PA standards, indicating a clear step towards ethical use of AI in the creative industry. 

Noting the uniqueness of the Japanese voice acting industry within the anime sector, Matti Stanisevski, Founder and CEO of ElevenLabs, said that this initiative, “will be an opportunity to raise awareness” of their “coexistence with the Japanese creator community.”

The company intends “to build a future where AI voice technology can be used safely and with peace of mind,” hoping that the step “will lead to greater transparency across the industry," and forbid AI cloning.

The company has also shown support for Japan's "NO MORE Unauthorized AI Generation" movement, stating that it wishes to assist regional studios and creators in using AI ethically. It clarified that ElevenLabs does not want to substitute human ability but rather use AI as a tool to collaborate with actual artists.

What is C2PA and Why Should the Anime Industry Use It?

The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) is a global system, which is backed by Adobe, Microsoft, and Google, helping consumers trust what they see and hear. 

It functions similarly to a digital label affixed to images, movies, and audio files. This label contains tamper-proof metadata that indicates who created the content, when it was created, and whether it has been altered.

Anyone can use C2PA to verify whether an image or audio clip was produced by AI or whether it is authentic. It significantly simplifies the process of identifying altered or doctored media.

Anime VAs Voice Concern About AI

ElevenLabs launched its first overseas subsidiary, ElevenLabs G.K., in Tokyo in April 2025 for the Japanese market. The company is currently working with key Japanese and Asian partners, like NTT DOCOMO, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), LLSOLLU, and MBC C&I CO., LTD.

Their technology comes at a crucial time when the entire animation industry is protesting against OpenAI Sora for infringing on copyrighted content. Yuki Kaji, the voice actor of Eren Yeager from "Attack on Titan," praised the initiative highly, calling it “a long-awaited system that truly protects the rights of our voices.”

Kaji further stated that AI is merely a “tool,” and that it becomes a partner or a problem depending on the usage. He believes that this technology could become a “turning point in the history of AI” and could finally allow creators and AI to coexist safely.

Since its founding in 2022, ElevenLabs has grown to become a significant force in AI voice and speech technology. The company has provided services to millions globally and is now valued at $6.6 billion USD.  It will be intriguing to look out for the company's next chapter as it grows its creative and ethical initiatives in Japan, particularly developing the collaborative approach between AI and human voices for the future.